We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
Short rides, up to about 4 hours (or 45 kilometres) per day, mainly on flat or gently undulating terrain. You don’t have to be a regular cyclist but you should be reasonably fit and active. Easy grade trips are ideal if you simply want to explore a region by bike at a relaxed pace.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Local Costs
| |
UK |
Cambodia |
Vietnam |
| Tea/Coffee |
£1.50 |
$1.00 |
$1.50 |
| Soft Drink |
£1.50 |
$1.00 |
$1.00 |
| Bottled Water |
£1.50 |
$1.00 |
$0.70 |
| Bottle of Beer |
£3.50 |
$2.20 |
$2.40 |
| 2 Course Meal* |
£15.00 |
$10.00 |
$10.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** |
£20.00 |
$13.00 |
$15.00 |
| Bottle of Wine |
£14.50 |
|
|
| Breakfast |
£5.00 |
|
$3.50 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
Important Information
Travel Insurance
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
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Visa Requirements
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
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Vietnam: An entry visa is required before departure by UK, AUS, NZ, USA & CAN citizens. All other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate. Passengers travelling with Vietnam Airlines on at least one leg of their International journey, may transit through a Vietnamese airport on their inbound flights from Cambodia. Providing they do not intend to clear immigration and remain in transit, only a single entry Vietnamese visa is required for the tour.
Cambodia: An entry visa is required by all nationalities and can be obtained at the land border at a cost of $22 USD. Please have the necessary cash for this and bring one passport sized photo for this visa.
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Vaccinations & Protection
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend protection against malaria, typhoid, tetanus, polio and hepatitis A. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Though not compulsory, travellers may wish to immunise themselves against japanese encephalitis.
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The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
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Know before you go
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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Preparing for your tour
Additional Information for your Cycling Tour
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Cycling Safety
Our bikes are serviced frequently: spokes, tyres, gear and brake mechanisms are checked over and tested thoroughly by experienced mechanics before each tour begins.
We strongly recommend that you wear a helmet whilst cycling. We do not provide helmets locally; by bringing your own you can ensure a good fit and that it hasn’t been damaged.
Your tour leader will give a full safety briefing at the start of the tour, along with instructions on how to deal with any minor mechanical problems you may have along the way. Puncture repair kits will be provided locally, when and where necessary during the trip.
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Bike details
Bike hire is included on all Explore cycling trips: you don’t need to bring your own or pay extra to hire one locally. We also provide a support vehicle, spare parts and take care of day to day bike maintenance. All you need bring is your own helmet. If you prefer to use your own saddle or pedals please bring them too, as they can be fitted to your bike for the duration of the tour.
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| Bike Details |
Equipment Provided |
| Bike type: |
Hybrid |
| Bike model: |
Merida |
| Number of gears: |
18 |
| Brakes: |
Disc Brakes |
| Suspension: |
Front |
| Frame range: |
16" - 18" -21"* |
| Panniers/bike bag type provided: |
Rear panniers |
| Water bottle holder provided: |
Yes |
| Water bottle provided: |
No |
| Adjustable handlebars: |
Yes |
| Female saddles provided: |
No |
| Gel saddles provided: |
No |
| Option to fit own saddle: |
Yes - 29mm |
| Option to fit own pedals: |
Yes - 9/16 |
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* 21" frames are also available in all locations for taller clients. The model of bike is likely to be different but of the same quality as the group bikes.
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Climate
Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City and the South: There are no great seasonal variations. The south has two seasons: the wet (May to November) and the dry (December to April). The hottest and most humid time is from the end of February to May. Temperatures range from 15°C-35°C year round. Expect tropical afternoon showers May to October. High humidity.
Cambodia: Hot and tropical, being hottest in April and coolest in January (still high 20s). Although rainfall is at its maximum in October, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap receive very little rain compared to the coastal areas, and when it does rain it tends to be in the form of sporadic mid afternoon downpours. There is normally very little rain between December and March. December and January tend to be the best months to travel, when the temperatures and humidity are more bearable.
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Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
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Packing for your tour
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
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Luggage
One main piece of baggage and a daysac. Total allowance 44lbs/20kgs.
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Clothing
Bear in mind that the area is tropical with high humidity. Lightweight clothing are needed all year round. Other additions that you may find useful are swimming costumes, cycle gloves, cycling shorts/trousers and quick drying cycle tops. Please note shorts are not permitted in certain temples.
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Footwear
Comfortable walking shoes/sandals for sightseeing, trainers for cycling.
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Equipment
Take a cycle helmet, cycle water bottle, torch, sunglasses, sunhat, sunscreen, insect repellent. You may wish to bring a gel seat cover for your saddle and ear plugs may come in handy in general. Please consider carrying all or some of your cycling equipment, e.g. helmet, as part of your hand luggage.
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Need help on Clothing or Equipment?
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
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General Information
Trip Summary
A classical cycling tour through Indochina that takes us from Saigon, through the Mekong Delta to the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, before finishing up at the awe inspiring temple complex of the Angkorian Kings near Siem Reap. Travelling through a timeless rural landscape we pass paddy fields and fruit orchards, following the course of the Mekong river as it takes us to remote villages, floating markets and hidden jungle temples. Travelling through a landscape steeped in history and lore, with some of the most famous, and infamous, places on the planet makes for an unforgettable adventure. This trip is rated easy. Using 18 gear Taiwanese hybrid bikes with panniers provided, we shall cycle 269kms in 9 days, an average of 30kms per cycling day. Cycling is mainly on level terrain and we avoid main roads to cycle on back roads wherever possible. Approximately 70% of the cycling is on tarmac, 30% on earth or gravel roads. An Explore leader cycles with the group on each day and on most days a back-up vehicle follows a little way behind the group and also carries the luggage.
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Electric Supply & Plugs
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
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